My Mephisto Auto Top Fed DWC

[Cactusreefer]

High everyone thanks for checking out my journal. This is my 1st try at hydro and autos lol. Figured Id dive right in. I used to grow indoor soil a loooong time ago. So for this grow, will be a single auto from Mephisto Genetics called Toofless Alien in a bucket style DWC. I had a 2nd plant in the tent, but it came up white...gave it a chance, but ultimately put her outside. Details are as follows:

Tent: 4x2x7 Gorilla
Light: Phlizon 2000 watt COB LED (451w actual)
Substrate: Top-fed deep water culture; 5 gallon bucket
Ventilation: Passive intake, 4" Vivosun inline fan w/carbon filter
Strain: Mephisto Genetics "Toofless Alien" autoflower (hybrid)
Nutrients: Botanicare-full program slightly tweaked
Testing: Hanna Growline pH, EC, PPM, Temp meter

Thats the basics of it. For this grow I settled on Mephisto Genetics. Honestly, I wanted to buy from a breeder direct and this is where the internet took me first haha. Was able to get in on their Monday seed drop. Got a few strains, a couple I put outside (journal to follow those coming soon). This grow is their Toofless Alien auto, a hybrid. So I set the tent up in my spare bedroom. The Gorilla tent is top notch quality. Very easy to put together, made of quality material, and lots of features. I hung the Vivosun exhaust in the top of the tent, passive intake on the bottom, exhaust out the top thru the window. Humidity is provided via cold air humidifier. Temp/RH seems somewhat stable at 75-78F/50-60%. As far as lighting, the Phlizon light is awesome as well. Very bright and high powered, especially with the COB's turned on. They provide full spectrum light when COB's are turned on. Says 2000 watts but its actually 451. Must be the metric system. The bucket setup is your average 5 gallon bucket with mesh pot top. Made by RootSpa. To this I added a 2nd airline with large airstone for max oxygenation. I put a 100 gph submersible pump in the bottom of the bucket and ran a drip line to the top to feed the seedling until roots reach the water. Source water is RODI I store for my saltwater aquarium, so its neutral pH and 0 TDS. Right now I am using Botanicare nutrients. Currently in early stage so running half strength on everything except Hydroguard (full strength). So Pure Blend Pro Grow, Cal-Mag, Silica Blast and Hydroguard. Will implement additional next week. I tried to condense this lol. More to follow soon. Some pics below. Thanks for hangin, any and all feedback is welcomed!

Tent setup

 

[Cactusreefer]

Plant Pics

Day 1 in tent

Day 4

Day 8

Had a few leaf issues, pretty sure was me getting RH dialed in. I think shes ready to blow up. Decided not to top. Just going to go very low stress...bending and tucking. Being my first grow I dont want to stunt her as I know time is limited

 

[Rexer]

High everyone thanks for checking out my journal. This is my 1st try at hydro and autos lol. Figured Id dive right in. I used to grow indoor soil a loooong time ago. So for this grow, will be a single auto from Mephisto Genetics called Toofless Alien in a bucket style DWC. I had a 2nd plant in the tent, but it came up white...gave it a chance, but ultimately put her outside. Details are as follows:

Tent: 4x2x7 Gorilla
Light: Phlizon 2000 watt COB LED (451w actual)
Substrate: Top-fed deep water culture; 5 gallon bucket
Ventilation: Passive intake, 4" Vivosun inline fan w/carbon filter
Strain: Mephisto Genetics "Toofless Alien" autoflower (hybrid)
Nutrients: Botanicare-full program slightly tweaked
Testing: Hanna Growline pH, EC, PPM, Temp meter

Thats the basics of it. For this grow I settled on Mephisto Genetics. Honestly, I wanted to buy from a breeder direct and this is where the internet took me first haha. Was able to get in on their Monday seed drop. Got a few strains, a couple I put outside (journal to follow those coming soon). This grow is their Toofless Alien auto, a hybrid. So I set the tent up in my spare bedroom. The Gorilla tent is top notch quality. Very easy to put together, made of quality material, and lots of features. I hung the Vivosun exhaust in the top of the tent, passive intake on the bottom, exhaust out the top thru the window. Humidity is provided via cold air humidifier. Temp/RH seems somewhat stable at 75-78F/50-60%. As far as lighting, the Phlizon light is awesome as well. Very bright and high powered, especially with the COB's turned on. They provide full spectrum light when COB's are turned on. Says 2000 watts but its actually 451. Must be the metric system. The bucket setup is your average 5 gallon bucket with mesh pot top. Made by RootSpa. To this I added a 2nd airline with large airstone for max oxygenation. I put a 100 gph submersible pump in the bottom of the bucket and ran a drip line to the top to feed the seedling until roots reach the water. Source water is RODI I store for my saltwater aquarium, so its neutral pH and 0 TDS. Right now I am using Botanicare nutrients. Currently in early stage so running half strength on everything except Hydroguard (full strength). So Pure Blend Pro Grow, Cal-Mag, Silica Blast and Hydroguard. Will implement additional next week. I tried to condense this lol. More to follow soon. Some pics below. Thanks for hangin, any and all feedback is welcomed!

Tent setup

View attachment 2329031View attachment 2329033

Hey @Cactusreefer

Mind if I pull up a chair? I'm always up for a hydro grow! I don't always get all my notifications, so feel free to tag me if I wonder away.

Nice setup

 

[CO Finest]

 

[Cactusreefer]

Thanks, this is uncharted waters for me Im an old soil guy. I will say im impressed with growth rate so far. Big time @Rexer @Bill284

 

[Rexer]

Thanks, this is uncharted waters for me Im an old soil guy. I will say im impressed with growth rate so far. Big time @Rexer @Bill284

Oh you ain't seen nothing yet...wait till they hit the stretch....they'll keep you on your toes.

Soil is a sure way for me to kill something

 

[Cactusreefer]

Day 11

So things are growing pretty good. Changed rez water out yesterday, replaced with half strength. Feel like I could probably go full, but ill wait till next change out this weekend.

I feel like Im kinda struggling with temp management. Apparently I picked the least ventilated room in my house to put my tent in. AC flow is very weak into the room, and the tent intake doesnt pull much in. Temps around 80-81. Humidity upper 40's pushing 50%. Does this seem detrimental to growth, or am I being paranoid? I may pick up a small room ac unit to supplement. I tried the humidifier in the tent, but seems like there will be issues with dust on leaves, slight wilt. So i put it back outside the tent to be drawn in thru intake.

Also seems like maybe a touch of lighter green in the middle of the plant. Would light too close cause this? Ive been thinking this light may be a little close. Its pretty intense. 24 inches from plant top. Am going to borrow a PAR meter today.

Thanks for any feedback. Heres a couple pics

 

[Cactusreefer]

Day 14

So we just hit 2 weeks in the tent, 17 days since germ. She's growing pretty strong now. Base is as thick as a pencil. Roots are hanging out of the basket, nice and white. Today is weekly solution change. Upped nutrients to 3rd week and went full strength. Had to snag a small room AC unit to keep temps around 76. Finally got that and RH stable. Did some leaf tucking too. I dont plan on any training other than that as this be my 1st auto. Need to crawl before I can walk haha! Anyways thanks for stoppin by!

 

[Rexer]

You're doing a great job with her, and it's smart to tackle any humidity and temp issues now. Both are going to get higher as she gets bigger and fills up more space.

 

[Cactusreefer]

Growing like a weed now lol a very ornamental one. Responding well to full strength nutrients. Tied some of the large leaves together to create openings...pulled branches down into the openings using paper clips. Basically opened them up and hooked to the edge of the pot. Probably going to have to remove the crate underneath and just set the bucket directly on the ground. This way i can lower the light, and raise as needed during flower. Currently @ 22 inches from canopy. Full spectrum COB's not on yet, am waiting till flower onset. That will definitely increase heat a few degrees. Not there yet tho, patience

 

[Bill284]

Growing like a weed now lol a very ornamental one. Responding well to full strength nutrients. Tied some of the large leaves together to create openings...pulled branches down into the openings using paper clips. Basically opened them up and hooked to the edge of the pot. Probably going to have to remove the crate underneath and just set the bucket directly on the ground. This way i can lower the light, and raise as needed during flower. Currently @ 22 inches from canopy. Full spectrum COB's not on yet, am waiting till flower onset. That will definitely increase heat a few degrees. Not there yet tho, patience

Great diy hooks. I don't let any leaves touch pot or medium.
Looking good.

 

[Cactusreefer]

Roger that! Thanks for taking the time, I know youve been pretty busy

 

[Cactusreefer]

Im starting to realize i may be growing a damn redwood in here. Stalk is now a trunk, thumb sized with bark and all. Hope that means shes gonna bear some serious weight.

 

[Tokin Roll]

Im starting to realize i may be growing a damn redwood in here. Stalk is now a trunk, thumb sized with bark and all. Hope that means shes gonna bear some serious weight.

Welcome to the world of DWC.

Looking good @Cactusreefer

Tok..

 

[Cactusreefer]

Thanks man! yeah, Ive been living under a rock forever haha. Only just became legal last year so Im a kid in a candy store

 

[Cactusreefer]

Ok, asking for a lil help, being ive never grown autos before, how detrimental is it to do some defoliation? Very minimal. Have a few GIANT leaves that are beyond tuck. Last thing i want to do is stunt, but this gal is growing like a mofo

 

[Brett Blaze]

I'll tag along. Good start. I'm starting a 2 x 4 Auto grow this week.

 

[Cactusreefer]

Sweet Dano, welcome to the party!

 

[Rexer]

Ok, asking for a lil help, being ive never grown autos before, how detrimental is it to do some defoliation? Very minimal. Have a few GIANT leaves that are beyond tuck. Last thing i want to do is stunt, but this gal is growing like a mofo

If you feel you have to, go for it.

Don't forget you can also pony tail the larger ones

Some light defoliating during veg will actually help.
LIGHT.

There's a great thread somewhere on here on it....I'll see if I can dig it up. I've defoliated autos with no I'll effect


Edit: Found it!! Multivortex nailed it.

If you defoliate autos what day do you start doing it?

I have a small tent and I want to defoliate autos to be able to fit the number of plants I want in the tent and have good air flow on there. This is not really a should you defoliate or not post. The tent is small and with how much I lst the plants to keep the plants from being very tall the...

www.420magazine.com

 

[Cactusreefer]

Thanks Rexer thats just what i needed to read.